The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-24
GEN. WASHINGTON.
Interesting Account of His Visit to Newport
in 1870,

Interesting Account of His Visit to Newport
tn179O.
Newport H. IL News.
The original of a long-lost letter. wholly writ
ten by Gen. Washington, has recently been
found while searching for other documents in
the Estate paper" department. of the City Hall.
written in acknowledgment of an address
from the citizens of Newport" where he arrived
for tie second and last time the year after his
inauguration President.
This address, giving him welcome on his arri-
val, expressed their joy occasion in
terestlng, regretting, at the Same time, that the
depressed condition of their local affairs forbade
some of those demonstrations of gratitude and
respect which the citizens of sister States
had previously displayed. The contents of this
long-ost letter happen to be the original and
veritable reply" which the President gave on
that occasion:
ITO the Freemen of the Town OF New Port:
''Gentlemen, l receive, with emotions of salts
faction. the kind address of the citizens of New
Port my arrival in this State
Although L am not ignorant how much the
worthy inhabitants of this town have been in
jured in their circumstances by their patriotic
sufferings and services yet must be allowed to
Say that nothing on their part has been wanting
70 convince me of their affection to myself and
attachment to the government over which am
appointed to preside.
that take due interest in your particular stu
alton, and that join with you in anticipating the
happy period when. in our own country at
large, commerce. arts, manufactures and agri-
culture shall attain the highest degree OF i'm
provement.
my expressions would but family communi-
cate my feelings, should L enlarge beyond the
proper limits of answer your address, in
evincing my sensibility of your affectonate
wishes for my felicity in the present and future
state of existence. IL will be better proof of my
zeal for the prosperity of the inhabitants of this
town, and their fellow citizens of this State, to
lose no opportunity of attending to the advance
ment of their interests in combination with the
general welfare of the community. This shall
do with unfeigned satisfaction and may all the
49, 49, ~,r ;4t1o L. 49,
cial character from the uniform practice of in
dustry, virtue, fraternal kindness and universal
philanthropy. q. WASHINGTON"
From such a source this document is of con-
siderable historic value and OF great local inter-
est. more particularly as it has hitherto escaped
the notice of photographers of Washington.
1t is written on both sides of two quarto pages
of the large letter paper of the period, being
altogether in the distinct and readable chro-
graphy OF the President. To experts it would
be technically known as photograph" The
contents are very characteristic of the writer,
and it is in almost perfect condition. AS the
genuine letters of Washington have become
very rare indeed, the material value of this mode
be considerable.
On the 10Th day of May, 1890, the Rhust-
Island convention. realizing in their own minds,
the practical Inconvenience as we'll as the evil
results that must follow her exclusion from the
Union, adopted and ratified the federal constitu-
ton and cast her lot with the sister States for
the great future which may open for them all.
In l764 Rhode Island had struck the first blow
for Independence, and was the last TO surrender
compliance was duly announced by Governor
Fenner to the President, who two days after
the adjournment of Congress, departed By water
for Newport, whore he welcomed by the
people with much cordiality, returning to New
York after absence of ten days"
The voluminous historians of the period hav-
ing almost ignored this official visit we must
resort to local archives and to friendly aid tor
whatever particulars we may find available for
our purpose. From these We CLEAN that the
President arrived at 10 o'clock the morning
of Tuesday. the 18th of August, 1890, attended
by his Excellency Governor George Clinton, of
the State of New York; Thomas, jefferson,
Secretary of State for the United States; Mr..
Blair, one of the justices of the Supreme
Court; Mr.. Foster. Rhode Island Senator;
two members of the Congress, and three others
less known to fame.
Upon the packet heaving in sight the standard
of the State hoisted at Fort Washington
on Goat island; the bells rang and the shipping
displayed their colors. When abreast of the
fort thirteen cannon were fired, and ON the
Presidents landing thirteen more. which were
returned from several vessels in the harbor.
A large and influential committee from the
town, accompanied by the clergy. received the
President at Long wharf, and. with the citizens
in procession, escorted him to lodgings all
ready prepared for his reception.
At this time in the absence of hotels. the
principal place of entertain ment in Newport was
the Brenton House, then kept by Mrs. Almy.
Here Washington resided during his brief visit
and the silk spread under which no slept has
mover since been used for like purpose being
jealousy guarded by its successive owners.
come down to US in excellent preservation. On
the easterly side of Thames street land until
recently the headquarters of the United States
Engneers)i it is noticeable for the stately linden
trees that grace it's entrance and ornament our
principal thoroughfare. Here, also. in 1917
President Monroe resided, with his family dur
the summer.
The committee. on behalf of the citizens, then
invited the President and the distinguished
gentlemen who accompanied him to partake OF
public dinner with which he pleased to
comply. At 4 o'clock p. NJ. the committee
waited upon the President and escorted him to
the State-house, where he received by the
managers of the ceremony, who conducted him
to the council chamber, where the clergy and
other citizens were convened. At o'clock
they were ushered into the representative
chamber, where provided a Every elegant
dinner" and the building was emblematcally
decorated.
The table was spread the entire length of that
fine apartment, and every family in Newport
contributed to the entertainment by freely loan
ing whatever plate had escaped the revolution
airy plumber of the Hessians. The salvers
dishes. covers pitchers. and knives and forks
were all of silver. These, together with a pro-
fusion OF cut-class, must have given the table
After dinner thirteen Coasts" Astounding with
patriotic sentiment we're proposed and drunk
Thirteen cannon were fired after the first and
thirteenth toast and only one to each of the
others. Judge Marchant. Moderator, pro-
posed the frst-''To the Unsted States"-and the
second was given by the President-''To the
Prosperity of Rhode Island" The tenth was
TO the Fair Daughters of America" and after
the twelfth President Washington withdrew
when all the gentlemen arose and drank with
great enthusiasm. the thirteenth-''To the
Man We Love" We are further told that dur
ing the dinner the greatest decency was observed
and that the highest harmony prevailed"
The dinner being ended, the President walked
through several of the streets of the town, ITO
the great satisfaction of the inhabitants, who
continued to look with increasing pleasure
this great man"
On this occasion Also the President received
the written salutations of the clergy, represent
ing seven distinct denominations, as well as the
greetings of King David's Lodge OF Free and Ac-
cepted Masons, who, with ''unspeakable pleas
ure. hailed him a brother.
After dignfed but cordial leavetaking at 9
o'clock on the following morning, the President,
escorted in the same manner as at his landing
embarked on board the packet for Providence.
and, as they passed the fort, he finally
sauted by the discharge of thirteen cannons.